Shloka 35
Śama-prāptiḥ — Gautamī–Lubdhaka–Pannaga–Mṛtyu–Kāla-saṃvāda
Restraint through the Analysis of Karma and Time
सर्प उवाच को न्वर्जुनक दोषोअत्र विद्यते मम बालिश । अस्वतन्त्र हि मां मृत्युर्विवशं यदचूचुदत्
sarpa uvāca: ko nv arjunaka doṣo 'tra vidyate mama bāliśa? asvatantraḥ hi māṃ mṛtyur vivaśaṃ yad acūcudat.
La serpiente dijo: «Oh necio Arjunaka, ¿qué culpa mía hay en este asunto? No soy dueño de mí mismo. La Muerte me obligó contra mi voluntad y me impulsó a cometer este hecho».
सर्प उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse raises the ethical tension between personal culpability and compulsion: the serpent claims diminished responsibility because it acted under the coercion of Mṛtyu (Death/fate), prompting reflection on how dharma judges actions done under force or destiny.
In a dialogue, the serpent addresses Arjunaka and defends itself against blame, arguing that it was not acting freely; rather, Death compelled it to perform the act in question.